The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-06-18

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denly descended upon the earth, shrouding
everything in a noisome mantle Mentally
bemoaning my fate at being far from home
in such miserable weather, | groped my
way onward, stumbling now against a seat,
now against the stone parapet.
Under Waterloo Bridge the darkness
was so intense that I could see nothing at
all but upon emerging at the other side
l was suddenly confronted by terrible
spectacle. Coming toward me was the
figure of that lion-faced man, but fully four
times higher than before, and broad in pro-
portion. This gigantic, hideous creature
looming through the fog filled me with a
nameless terror Yet as l gazed the figure
grew smaller, till he was no larger than the
ordinary life size. Then l remembered
that his increased stature was merely an
optical illusion produced by the fog. The
sheep on the Swiss mountains in mist are
transformed into huge hideous beasts. But,
although of the ordinary stature, his per-
sonality was the same, and 1 anxiously
waited his approach.
He showed no surprise at my presence,
and stopped SO close to me that could feel
his hot breath on my face. I stood my
ground, and met his gaze with an appear
ance at any rate of outward composure,
All at once a fire leapt into his eyes, and he
raised his hands in the direction of my
throat. | made no movement, until felt
the touch Of his bony fingers on my neck.
Then struggled. But what was my puny
strength against his? Gradually, the fin
gers of either hand extended themselves till
they met round my throat; and then by an
almost imperceptible pressure the tiend
lessened the circle thus formed.
With thephysical agony my superstitious
fear of the man vanished, and grappled
with him, tearing his clothes to shreds, and
digging my nails into his flesh in the parox-
ysms of pain.
But my efforts seemed to have no effect
whatever upon him, In despair desistea
and allowed my hands to fall idly to my
side. As I did so my right hand struck
against something hard and metallic in my
pocket-a strong buck-horn knife, My
tagging spirit revived, and grasping it firm
ly, struck him with all my might on the
temple.
1t was a wild, blind blow, but it took eff
feet, There was crash, hideous shrek,
and an instantaneous relaxation of the suf-
focating pressure round my throat. He
staggered back, and l rushed away. The
fog was my salvation. In moment was
out of sight, nothing above me or around
me but the kindly yellow mantle. | had
only advanced q few yards when my
strength gave way, and with groan fell
on the pavement, unable to move step
further, My enemy had apparently re-
covered, for as | lay there on the wet, Shiny
stones | could hear him prowling about
searching for me. With infinite cunning
he seemed to have formed an imaginary
circle, round which he walked, lesseuing
the circumference each time,
I,lay motionless, hardly daring to breathe,
dreading every moment that he would dis
cover me.
Oh God, the agony of those momentsl
Nearer and nearer he came, till | could see
the outline of his huge figure looming
through the Cog. Suddenly, like some
wild animal, he crouched down and then
with horrible sort Of scream sprans upon
me.
The end was near.
With the touch of his fingers once more
upon my throat l ceased to struggle, and
had closed my eyes in resignation, when
the sound of footsteps infused me with new
hope. The mailman also heard the sound,
and relaxing his grasp listened. A vehicle
stopped, and then woman suddenly burst
through the fog, whose features seemed
familiar. But the agony had been toe
much for me, and swooned.
cannot tell how long remained uncol-
scious after my terrible encounter with that
man. The first thing that recollect is
opening my eyes in darkened room, with
a sensation of acute pain in my head, which
was swathed in bandages. At first | could
recall nothing. Then by degrees the
whole horrid event returned to me. The
sudden fog-our meeting-the fight and
the appearance of the woman. l Ishudder
ed at the recollection, and closing my eye:
again fell into deep slepp. When
awoke the room was still dark raised
myself on the bed and looked around
The first object my eyes rested upon wa:
Miss Rossiter. She was seated by the bed
side looking anxiously at me. She mus
have noticed my look of joyful recognition
for she leaned forward with her finger OF
her lips. In spite Of that warning sign
could not resist the temptation of speaking
"Ella, tell me where am l p
"In our house." she answered. "You
have been very ill, dearest. But the worst
is over" She placed her hand in mine
and for several minutes neither spoke. AT
length l said:
"Ella, will you answer me one question:
She nodded, and bent down to listen.
"Then tell me- I said, striving to sup
press my emotion, t'who was that man who
kissed and fondled you in the garden? Dar
ling, forgive me. | could not help seeing
you. Who was he?"
A look of astonishment passed over heI
face; but before she had time to reply the
recollection of all the wrong he had done mt
surged through my brain, and | cried an
grily, "Ella, do you know what | have suffer
ed at his hands? Do yon know that from thu
moment he crossed my path any whole lift
has been darkened? DO you know that h
has hlighted my prospects, shattered my
health, aud thrown me at deaths door
What have done that he should haun
me like an evil spirit? Look here"
cried, tearing the bandage from my head
alook at his last work. And yet, Ella, 20,
allow this man to embrace you, and yot
kiss him in return
"Ohl stop, stop, stop" she cried
"What have you said? He is-my-
father II
"Your fatherI" l echoed, hardly abOv'
a whisper.
eyes, she mOaned; 'don't-don't hat
me-"
1 laughed at the bare possibility of sucl
thing, and tried to raise her head, bu
the excitement had overtaxed my strength
and | fell back exhausted. Directly she
became aware of my condition Ella i'm
mediately recovered herself, and whis